Involute case.



C. D. CAMERON.`

INVOLUTE CASE. APPLICATION r|LED1uN3,1916.

Patented Feb. 6,1917.

COLIN D. CAMERON, OF AMESBURY, tASSACI-USETTS.

INVOLUTE CASE.

Leraren Specication of Letters Patent.

Patented ree. e, i917.

Application led .Tune 3, 1916. Serial No. 101,577.

To all wwm t may concern:

Be it known that COLIN D. CAMERON, a citizen of the United States, residing at Amesbury, in the county of Essex and State of Massachusetts, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in lnvolute Cases, of which the following is a specification, reference being had to the accompanying drawings.

This invention relates to certain improve ments in involute cases and it is an object of the invention to provide a novel and im proved device of this general character of extremely light weight and which, when collapsed, occupies a minimum of space.

It is also an object of the invention to provide a novel and improved device of this general character wherein'the vpanels comprised thereiny each include a skeleton frame provided with a covering of waterproof fabric.

The invention consists in the details of construction and in the combination and arrangement of the several parts of my improved case whereby certain important advantages are attained andthe device is rendered simpler, less expensive and otherwise more convenient and advantageous for use, all as will be hereinafter more fully set forth. p

The novel features of the invention will hereinafter be definitely claimed.

ln order that my invention may be the better understood, I will now proceed to describe the same with reference to thev accompanying drawings, wherein- Figure l is'a longitudinal vertical sectional view taken through a case. construct- 'ed in accordance with an embodiment of my invention; Fig. 2r isa sectional view taken substantially on the line 2 2 of Fig. l; F ig. 3 is a transverse sectional view taken through my improved case in a collapsed or folded adjustment; Fig. 4- is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view illustrating certain details of construction as herein embodied; and Fig. 5 is a fragmentary view in section illustrating certain details of construction as herein disclosed and as particularly relates to the fabric covering.

As disclosed in the accompanying drawings, B denotes the bottom panel or section of my improved case, E the end panels, S the side panels and T the top panel hingedly engaged with the outer face of the upper marginal portion of one of the side panels S and adapted to overlie the outer face of the side panel S to which it is hingedV when the case .is compacted or collapsed. The connections between the side panels S and the end panels E with the bottom panel B is such-as to permit said side and end panels to fold inwardly and when in collapsed adjustment the end panels E are adapted to be first folded upon the bottom panel B and then one of the side panels S and then the side panel with which the top panel T is hingedly connected.

The bottom panel B comprises a frame F, the end bars l of which being L-shape in cross section as are also the side bars 2, but it is to be particularly noted that the vertical flange 3 of one of the side bars 2 extends a predetermined distance above the corresponding flange of the second bar 2. lThe base or horizontal portions of the bars l and 2 are provided in their upper faces with the recesses et disposed in predetermined spaced relation and which have seated therein the ends of the straps 5 preferably of wood, the longitudinal straps and transverse straps being inter-woven.

Each of theend panels E includes a frame F", the members 7 0f which being flat and connected with the interewoven straps 8 in the same manner as has been set forth relative to the straps 5, and the lower member 7 of'k each of the end panels E has secured to the inner face thereof portions of the hinges H, the ,coacting parts of which being secured to the innerface of the horizontal portion ofthe adjacent end bar l of the frame F of the bottom panel B. By this arrangement it will be perceived that the end panels E are adapted to swing inwardly relativeA to. the bottom panel B and-that when said end 'panels E are in open position, the lower edges thereof will. rest-uponfthe upper edges of the'y upstanding flanges of the bars 1. It is also to be noted that the end panels E are of a height equal to or less than one-half of the length of the bottom panel B so that both of said end panels E may lie snugly in contact with the bottom panel B. y

Secured to the inner face of the vertical flanges 3 of the side bars 2 of the bottom panel B are parts of the hinged members H', the coacting parts of which being secured to the inner face of the side panels S, said side panels being of substantially the same 'construction as has been set forth relative to the panels B and E, except that the end bars 9 are L-shape in cross section with their lateral flanges 10 disposed inwardly and which serve to afford stops with which the vertical marginal 'portions of the end panels E contact when in open or operative adjustments, and the inner faces of the end panels E are provided with the members 11 adapted to engage the eye members 12 carried adjacent the outer corners of the side panels S whereby the side panels S and the end panels E may be conveniently and effectively locked in open position.

The top panel T is constructed in substantially the same manner as the end panels E and has secured to an outer longitudinal marginal portion parts of the hinges H2, the second parts of said hinges being secured to the outer faces of one of the side panels S, and it is to be noted that the parts la extend a su'Hicient distance beyond the adjacent longitudinal margin of the side panels S as to permit the hinged marginal portion of the top panel T to contact with the outer or free longitudinal edge of said side panel S, whereby said top panel T is prevented from folding inwardly relative to S to which it is connected. The opposite longitudinal edge of the top panel T is provided with the catches 15 with which coact the locks 16 carried by the free or outer longitudinal margin of the second side section S. As T do not wish to be understood as limiting myself to any particular form of locking means, it is thought that a detail description thereof is unnecessary.

Each of the panels B, E, S and T isincased within a covering 17 of water-proof fabric, and the overlying portions of each of the covers intermediate the straps comprised in the panel structures are connected in any desired manner as indicated at 18, whereby it will be perceived that the covering 17 is caused to snugly engage the panel with which it coacts. As particularly disclosed in Figs. 1 and 2 it is to be noted that the covering 17 of the bottom panel B overlies the leaves of the hinges H secured thereto.

G denotes a hand'grasp of any desired Genies ci this patent may be obtained the side panelconstruction suitably secured at a suitable point upon each of the end panels E, said hand grasp being, however, preferably flexible so that the same may lie snugly against the adjacent faces of the end panels when not in use.

From the foregoing description, it is thought to be obvious that a case constructed in accordance with my invention is of an extremely simple and comparatively inexpensive nature and is particularly well adapted for use by reason of the convenience and facility with which it may be assembled, and it will also be obvious that my invention is susceptible of some change and modification without material departure from the principles and spirit thereof and for this reason I do not wish to be'understood as limiting myself to the precise ar rangement and formation of the several parts herein shown in carrying out my invention in practice.

T claim:

1. A case comprising a bottom panel, side panels hinged thereto and adapted to fold inwardly thereon, end panels hinged to the bottom panel and adapted to fold inwardly thereon, each of said bottom panels, side panels and end panels including a skeleton frame, and an incasing cover of fabric, each of said frames being provided with longitudinally and transversely disposed straps arranged in inter-woven relation, the laminations of the incasing cover being secured one to the other at points intermediate said straps.

2." A case including a panel, said panel comprising a skeleton frame, and an incasing cover, said frame being provided with longitudinally and transversely disposed straps, the laminations of the incasing cover being secured one to the other at points intermediate said straps.

In testimony whereof T hereunto aiix my signature in the presence of two witnesses. COLIN D. CAMERON. Witnesses:

HULBERT R. JnNNINes, ALWIN A.. CAMERON.

Washington, D. G.

for five cents each, by addressing4 the Commissioner of Patents 

